Learn Spanish

Idiomatic uses of Por and Para

We add the following idiomatic uses of Por and Para to what we said about these two prepositions in the section: The Prepositions

Por may translate "on behalf of," "for the sake of," "in favour of,"
"during," "through":

  • Habló por el proyecto de ley:
    He spoke in favour of the bill.

  • Se presentó por la casa:
    He appeared on behalf of the firm.

  • Por la paz y buena armonía concedemos lo que V. pide:
    For the sake of peace we allow what you ask.

  • Les sirvió por cinco años:
    He served them during five years.

  • Trabaja por la mañana:
    He works during (in) the morning.

  • Vino por París:
    He came through Paris.

  • Cotizar por un artículo:
    To quote for an article.

  • Yo por mí (or por mi parte) prefiero comprar al contado:
    I, for one, prefer to buy for cash.

  • Por[3] rico que sea, no tendrá suficientes recursos:
    No matter how rich he is, he will not have sufficient means.

  • Es demasiado avaro por ser tan rico:
    for such a rich man, he is too miserly.

  • Caro por caro prefiero géneros ingleses:
    If I have to pay a dear price, I prefer English goods.

  • Por sí ó por no:
    In any case, should it be so or not.

  • Ir (venir) por:
    To go (come) for.

  • Enviar por el médico:
    To send for the doctor.

  • Por holgazán perdió el empleo:
    He lost his employment through laziness.

  • Por bién ó por mal:
    Willy-nilly.

  • Vendré por la Navidad:
    I shall come by Christmas.

  • Por si acaso:
    In case that.
Footnote 3: Por has always this meaning before an adjective or adverb.]
  • No sirve para más:
    He is good for nothing else.

  • Venir para la Pentecostés:
    To come for Whitsuntide.

  • Esto no es para menos:
    The thing (or occasion) is worth it.

  • Para español (or por ser español) es muy alto:
    He is very tall for a Spaniard.

  • Tener grande consideración para este hombre:
    To have great respect for this man.

  • Dar pedidos para ferretería, ollería, y maquinaría:
    To give orders for ironware, hollow-ware and machinery.

  • Es demasiado avaro para ser tan rico:
    He is too miserly to be so rich.


Category: General Spanish
Search for Language Schools by Country

     
 
Web www.123TeachMe.com

login
home | about | language schools | help | site map | contact
Learn Spanish from a native Spanish-speaking tutor without leaving your home. Click here for details.